Cornerstone News Digest                                                                                                         August 25, 2016 

Modernizing our systems, processes, and organizational structures will dramatically improve how we get work done, together, across all campuses, schools, departments and units. This is the foundation for the important work we will do going forward as one Rutgers.
CORRECTION

The August 18 issue of the Cornerstone News Digest indicated, “All deadlines are at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, unless otherwise noted.” The correct time for all deadlines is 8:00 p.m. Eastern, unless otherwise noted. One exception will be the submissions from integration partners, which will be due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on September 28.

How to Register for Training

Participation in instructor-led and virtual instructor-led courses is by invitation only. People selected to participate in training were identified by their unit’s business office and/or leadership as individuals who will have a role in the new systems when they launch.  

The lists of training participants are available for financial management and human resources and payroll. Lists for procurement and expense management will be available soon. You can view the files by project and filter by your name to search for the classes you should take.  

If you do not see your name listed, but believe you need to take a course, please send an email to "Cornerstone Training <cornerstone_training@finance.rutgers.edu>".  

For more information on how to register for classes and access training materials, check out the Cornerstone training frequently asked questions.

Expense Reports and Requests for Travel Advances

In an effort to process and reconcile outstanding expense reports prior to go live in October, please submit all expense reports by September 9, especially if they include travel cash advances. This will provide time to process and approve paper-based expense reports for reimbursement through Payroll. After September 9, all expense reports will need to be held until after the new online launches in October.  

The last date to request travel advances through Banner or RIAS is September 16.  

Systems Transition and Blackout Periods

During the blackout period, transactions will not be conducted in the existing systems. This is scheduled to occur from:

  • September 23-October 2 for procurement

  • September 24-October 9 to process grants and awards

  • October 1-7 for human resources and payroll

  • October 1-9 for financial management and expense management

The transition and blackout period for human resources and payroll will not affect pay dates for employees currently on active payroll status.

View the detailed systems transition schedule.

Upcoming Deadlines
September 8
  • Last date to request purchase order supplements and modifications

  • Last date to submit purchase orders that require Purchasing review

  • Last date to request internal purchase orders

  • Last date to close or cancel purchase orders

September 9
  • Last date to submit paper expense reports/TABERs


All deadlines are at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, unless otherwise noted.
Faculty - Grants and Awards Processing
Faculty are encouraged to use the Institutional Prior Approval System Request (IPAS) process to request an advance fund source/index and pre-award spending as early as possible prior to September 23.
Exceptions during the Transition and Blackout Periods
An exception or emergency circumstance is an extremely urgent event or occurrence. The volume and complexity of requests will determine which exception requests will be managed through the procedures outlined by the project teams for financial management, human resources and payroll, and procurement.

Schools, departments, and units are urged to process transactions and conduct activities in the current systems as early as possible before the deadlines outlined in the transition schedule.

If you have questions about the transition schedule or purchase order conversion process, please contact the business manager for your school, department, or unit.
Cornerstone - Transforming the Way We Work at Rutgers
Online: http://cornerstone.rutgers.edu
Email: cornerstone@rutgers.edu